Friday, 27 April 2007

ZIBO CITY, China: AFC’s revolutionary football development programme Vision China was launched yesterday in Zibo which is located in Shandong province, the officially recognised birthplace of world football.

The AFC have announced its in Zibo City, China

Bet you didn't know that did you!

and if you did know, then name the street.....that'll teach you to be so clever!

Sydney FC have put themselves in a good position to qualify from Group E of the Asian Champions League.

With group leaders Urawa Reds dropping points in Shanghai, Sydney need to defeat Shanhai Shenhua at Aussie Stadium, Sydney on May 11th to set up a group decidng match away to Urawa Reds.

So it'll be a great game against Shanghai in two weeks.

Can Sydney do it? Sure they can, they beat Shanghai in China earlier in the group. Shanghai showed plenty of desire at home but I expect Sydney in front of their home support will sneak it. It will be close may be only one goal in it.

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

“Girls love soccer in Australia,” Barbieri tells au.fourfourtwo.com after training in Melbourne. “They’ll all seem to be playing the sport, but they don’t know me. They don’t know our faces in the national team [the Matildas].

I have to agree. coverage of the women's game is improving, albeit form a very low base.

Sponsorship is hard to come by, and the players represent Australia n the world stage with minimal support in terms of training and game time.

The growth of the game in Australia, magazines like foufourtwo and television coverage from SBS could all help lift the games profile in the next few months to its highest level yet.

Why do Aussie female swimmers, netball players and basketball players get a better deal than the Matildas?

The Matildas have been drawn against Norway(ranked 4th), Ghana(48) and Canada(10).

Australia will open their campaign against Ghana on September 12 in Hangzhou, followed by the match against Norway on September 15 in the same city before the final group match against Canada on September 19 in Chengdu.

Saturday, 21 April 2007

The young Matildas are currently involved in qualifying rounds for the Olympic.

At grassroots level the women's game is booming.

And yet coverage of women's football in Australia is poor. Where do these girls and women read about their stars and heroes?

Nowhere it seems to me.

Interestingly, SBS, having lost the men's A-League and Socceroos games to Fox Sports, are starting to show interest. Interviews, web articles and live matches are starting to appear as they build up towards their coverage of this years World Cup in China in September.

Better late than never!

And there isn't even a national league, yet these women will be expected to perform the usual Aussie sporting heroics when representing their country on the world stage.

Why would girls stay in the game? Why doesn't women's football get live coverage like their female counterparts in netball, basketball and even golf? Why don't the FFA promote the women's game more widely?

If it comes down to money then its time the FFA focused on getting sponsors on board to grow the women's game.

Australia must have a women's league with at least the same media coverage as other women's sports.

This is should be a priority for the FFA, along with the men's youth league.

The draw for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in Wuhan, China tomorrow night. The draw is expected to be completed by 10pm AEST with fifa.com to provide updated information.

The Matildas, now ranked 14th in the world, qualified for the World Cup courtesy of finishing runners-up at last year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Adelaide after losing the final on penalties against China.Seeded teams for tomorrow’s draw are hosts China, reigning champions Germany, world number one ranked nation USA and Norway who are ranked third in the world.

Thursday, 19 April 2007

Malaysia will spend three weeks in Australia preparing for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.They are expected to play three friendlies against the Australian Olympic side, Sydney FC and Western Australia whle they are here.

Malaysia, one of the co-hosts, are grouped with Iran, China and Uzbekistan in Group C which will be held in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

Sydney FC fans favourite David Carney has signed a two-year deal with the club today.

"I am happy to have re-signed with Sydney FC until 2009 and confident that the club will challenge for major honours in the coming seasons," said Carney

"As demonstrated by his Qantas Socceroos call-ups, David is one of the best Australian players in the Hyundai A-League. Sydney FC is delighted to have secured his services for another two seasons," said the club's chief executive officer, George Perry.

Carney joins Iain Fyfe, Terry McFlynn and Robbie Middleby who have all recently signed new contracts with the club.

All over Australia the kids are playing football. The junior season is about to kick-off. My daughters team the Under 8 Pixies have seen their numbers double. The last two years we've had four teams in the Under 8's, this year we have eight.

Post-World Cup fever or just an increase in one age group in one club?

I'll keep you posted when numbers are finalised across the clubs in Canberra.

And its not just the kids. The older guys are still trying to get a game. In Masters competitions or work kick-arounds the wannabies are still pulling on their boots.

Take Richard Jones, a Commonwealth Government employee. Rocks up at my door on Wednesday last week. A work day and he's dressed in his Arsenal shirt.

"Got any shinpads, I've got a game at lunch."

He dashes off on his bike, the excited 44 year old desperate to get some game time.

I see him later.

"How did you go?"

"I don’t know whether to be grateful that I actually still have them, but I pulled a hamstring during our match yesterday."

We oldies can relate.

He quickly adds "It was 2-0, both goals set up by the dynamic right full-back, plus I had a shot that hit the post and rolled along the goal line before being cleared."

As he walks off he seems taller, younger but for the hammy induced limp.

Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer will captain the Qantas Under 23s for the first time this morning(AEST time) as Australia meet Group D leaders Saudi Arabia in Dammam. With previous captain Mark Milligan injured Leijer will lead the Olyroos in this crucial Olympic qualifier.

Wednesday, 18 April 2007

Latest reports state Queensland Roar are talking to ex-England striker Andrew Cole. A former team-mate of Dwight Yorke at Manchester United Cole would be an excellent addition to the Roars strike force.

Stuart Petrie and Jamie McMaster have been released by the Central Coast Mariners due to Salary Cap constraints.

Its an election year in Australia and no stone will be left unturned as political parties and pressure groups aim to get their message across.

It seems nothing is safe from politics this year, not even kids sport.

Tuart Hill soccer club in Perth have arranged a sponsorship deal with Union WA.The children aged between 6-15 will have the words "Your rights at work," on the front of their team shirts.Unions WA secretary Dave Robinson says the deal is no different to a normal commercial sponsorship.Federal Sports Minister George Brandis told ABC radio in Brisbane "It is sick to be requiring school kids as a condition of playing sport to be carrying political propaganda on their jerseys."

Tuart Hill SC president Sean Eldridge has told The West Australian newspaper several parents have told the newspaper they are not concerned by the sponsorship.

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

The Olyroos take on Saudi Arabia in Damman in a crucial qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Coach Rob Baan has a number of problems for this game. Sydney FC's Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Mark Milligan are injured. Adelaide United's Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns arrived late, and Matthew Spiranovic and Kaz Patafka were not released by their clubs Nuremburg and Benfica respectively.

James Troisi the diminutive Newcastle United forward will start the game.

Australia will play their final home group match at Adelaide ’s Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 against Iran .The top two teams will progress to the third and final stage of qualifying, where 12 nations will be split into three groups.

Playing in the 2010 World Cup for Australia is now the focus for all Australian footballers and Sydney FC’s Nikolai Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time.

Topor-Stanley, 22, is a left-sided defender with the Olyroos and Sydney FC. He recently signed a two-year deal with Perth Glory for season three of the A-League.

“The deal with Perth Glory gives me a secure future and allows me to focus on developing my game. Things are really taking off in Perth,” said Topor-Stanley.

Perth Glory have new co-owners in Tony Sage, Brett McKeon and John Spence and the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in the A-League with Chinese company Delong Holdings pumping in $750,000 in a one-year deal.

FAST RISE

Topor-Stanley has risen quickly after a slow start. Like Socceroos Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton, and Vince Grella, Topor-Stanley had a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport.

“Once I went to the AIS I became immersed in football.” The 191cm, 85kg defender said.

“They teach you how to be a footballer. You live and breathe football. Coach Steve O’Connor was a great help.”

In 2004 he joined local Canberra club Canberra Deakin and helped them secure the National Youth League title.

Canberra Deakin secretary Matin Radic said, “Nikolai played for us in the National Youth League. He was strong, comfortable on the ball, a fantastic player. Without him we would not have won the league. He was easy going and a great guy.”

“We’ve seen Ned Zelic, Joe Simunic, and Carl Valeri go on to play international football from Canberra Deakin. I hope Nikolai does the same.”

However, when Topor-Stanley graduated from the AIS, the death of the National Soccer League in 2004 meant there was little professional football on offer in Australia.

Topor-Stanley waited for the A-League to start - only to find he wasn’t required. Having already tried out for German side Borussia Munchengladbach he could have gone overseas again, but he joined New South Wales Premier League club Manly United, and waited.

A-League season two saw a long-term injury to Sydney FC’s defender Jacob Timpano and Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher gave Topor-Stanley his chance.

Sydney fans loved his rugged energy.

In a pre-season game in Canberra the call Hyphen was heard from the Cove supporters group and the nickname has stuck.

HECTIC SCHEDULE

The A-League season may be over, but with the Olyroos currently involved in qualification games for the Beijing Olympics and Sydney FC disputing Group E of the Asian Champions League, Topor-Stanley’s schedule is hectic. He’s been to more countries since February than some of us get to in a lifetime.

Topor-Stanley has played in Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong with the Olyroos, and China and Indonesia with Sydney FC. By the end of May he will have played in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Japan. Not to mention the Olyroos home games in Adelaide and Sydney FC’s at Aussie Stadium. No surprise then that he’d like a few more days’ rest.

“I’m living the dream really and I love it, although I don’t get much time off,” Topor-Stanley said.

“So much flying, I recently had to fly back from Iran via three connecting flights, pick up a visa and go straight to China. I use my new play station a lot!

“I never take playing and the lifestyle for granted. The guys at Sydney FC all help each other. You learn so much from guys like Steve Corica. I love playing against guys desperate to succeed from all over Asia. I sometimes have to pinch myself.”

His goal is clear.

“Like all Australian footballers I want to make the Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

With the World Cup still three years away and a two-year contract with Perth Glory secured, Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time. There is a dearth of left-sided defenders in Australia football. Scott Chipperfield is 31. Recent Socceroos debutant Shane Stefanutto is playing in the Norwegian League.

Topor-Stanley is aware of his opportunities. Softly spoken, his determination to succeed is high.

“If I can keep fit, learn from each game I have a chance.”

With Australia joining the Asia Football Confederation in 2006 a new path for Australian players has been created. A-League, Olyroos and Asian Champions League now provide a route to International football that few Aussie boys could have imagined just two years ago. For Nikolai Topor-Stanley playing his football in Australia may bring the highest reward.

Sunday, 15 April 2007

Australian football has taken off. Since 16th November 2005 when Australia beat Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup life has been good. A-League, World Cup, Asian Champions League, 2007 Asia Cup, Olympic qualifiers men and women, Asian Futsal Championships, Futsal World Cup, and the Womens World Cup in China in September.

You get the picture.

I'll start with that match. No, not the Uruguay game, the Iran one in 1997. Sorry I had to. Its only since November 2005 that I can even discuss it.

Two nil up ,the Socceroos are cruising. We're off to the World Cup. Iran equalize and the night turned black.

Next morning I'm smacking some weeds down the garden. Depressed, angry and just plain teary if the truth be known. Four more years and only two significant games of football to be played in Australia. I heard a rustle from t'other side of hedge.

"G'day mate," thats what you say in Australia even if you're from somewhere else."G'day," he says."Where are you from," I ask recognising his foreign accent."Iran," he smiles